Counseling Services

Counseling is a confidential process designed to help you address your concerns, come to a greater understanding of yourself, and learn effective personal and interpersonal coping strategies. It involves a relationship between you and a professional therapist who has the desire and willingness to help you accomplish your individual goals. Counseling involves sharing sensitive, personal, and private information that may at times be distressing. During the course of counseling, there may be periods of increased anxiety or confusion. The outcome of counseling is often positive; however, the level of satisfaction for any individual is not predictable.

We provide a variety of counseling services:

Individual

Couples (both members of the couple must be New College students)

Group counseling

Crisis intervention

Psycho-educational information

Employee Assistance Program

Students are initially seen by a staff therapist. You and your therapist will determine which of these professional services best fit your needs. Generally, we provide brief treatment (12 sessions or less) and may refer you to community services if deemed most appropriate to your situation. In addition to our full time staff, part time therapists and doctoral level practicum students are available during the semester.

Individual and couples therapy appointments are generally for 45-50 minutes and are typically scheduled once per week at a time you and your therapist agree upon. That appointment time is a standing time each week and will be reserved for you until you no longer want it or you have terminated treatment. If you are 20 minutes late for an appointment, you will not be seen that day, but are welcome to reschedule.

In your first session your therapist will orient you to what therapy will entail and how he/she will assist you. You should evaluate this information and whether you feel comfortable working with your therapist. You have the right to discuss the rationale for any aspect of your treatment or to decline any part of treatment. You also have the right to request another therapist, only after discussing your concerns with your current therapist to explore why things may not be working out. However, you are under no obligation to do so.

When appropriate, referral to our consulting psychiatrist is made through one of the staff therapists. Services provided by the psychiatrist include medication evaluation and management, diagnosis, and treatment planning. In order to be seen by the psychiatrist, you must be enrolled in continuous individual psychotherapy. After an appointment is made with the psychiatrist, if you do not show for two appointments, you are no longer eligible for further psychiatric services. We will be happy to refer you elsewhere if you would like to do so.